Thug Fo' Life: The New York Rep. Michael Grimm Story

It's no secret that New Yorkers have a reputation for being a little bit aggressive. You know, the whole "hey I'm walkin' heah," act. Its what gives the city its edge, its character. But when that little bit of character evolves into an overall life strategy, things have definitely gone too far. And when the line blurs to the point that you can't tell the difference between a U.S. Congressman and a low rent thug, something has definitely got to change. After last night's State of the Union address, New York Republican Rep. Michael Grimm gave a brief interview to an NY1 reporter that basically ended in a scene that wouldn't have felt out of place in Goodfellas.

After reporter Michael Scotto asked Grimm about current campaign finance allegations that he is facing, the congressman stormed off, only to return and threaten the reporter with physical assault. Definitely the type of thing you like to see from an elected official in response to a little thing called THE FIRST FRIGGIN' AMENDMENT. "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this fucking balcony," Grimm said to Scotto. When Scotto repeatedly replied that it was a valid question, which, you know, it was, Grimm told him, "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."

First off, do boys regularly get broken in half? Is that a thing? Second of all, are you kidding!? You threaten a reporter with physical violence because he asked a question you didn't like? Oh, sorry Congressman, didn't mean to rub you the wrong way on that inquiry over your alleged financial shenanigans. How unsavory. It's not like you're an elected public official paid by our tax dollars or anything. But hey, heat of the moment, right? When the dust settles, surely an apology will be forthcoming, right? Here's what Grimm had to say about the matter in a statement made afterward:

"I was extremely annoyed because I was doing NY1 a favor by rushing to do their interview first in lieu of several other requests. The reporter knew that I was in a hurry and was only there to comment on the State of the Union, but insisted on taking a disrespectful and cheap shot at the end of the interview, because I did not have time to speak off-topic."

Oh, well, if it was a cheap shot, yeah you should totally have thrown that guy off the balcony. Now, if he was doing his duty as an agent of the press and constitutionally serving as a check on government, we'd have an issue. But no, your campaign finance allegations are a personal matter and have nothing to do with your ability to serve the good people of Staten Island and Brooklyn. You should totally be a raging a-hole to that reporter Mr. Congressman, you've earned it.

Grimm went on to say, "I verbally took the reporter to task and told him off, because I expect a certain level of professionalism and respect, especially when I go out of my way to do that reporter a favor." I know, right? Professionalism and respect are the only currency we have left in this lawless age. Thank the good lord you have it spades there Mr. Congressman.

So there you go America. The moral and ethical wanderings of our elected officials are none of our damn business. Especially when that elected official is doing someone a favor. Taking time out of his busy day to answer a preset list of softball questions, he shouldn't have to be subject to the scrutiny of some nosy reporter. It's unconscionable! And hey, who hasn't thrown a journalist or two off a balcony in their time. Just all part of being a public servant.